What to do if the cough is dry and does not clear the throat?

Why is it difficult to cough up mucus from the bronchi?

Sputum is a viscous secretion that is secreted by the trachea and bronchi. It has bactericidal properties and stimulates excretion from the respiratory tract:

• pathogens;
• metabolic products;
• allergens;
• dust;
• dead cells, etc.

Normally, no more than 100 ml of sputum is produced per day. But with inflammation of the ENT organs, its amount increases to 450-500 ml.

Acute respiratory infections are often accompanied by sweating, so due to dehydration, the mucus becomes viscous. For this reason, sputum does not come out when coughing.

When treating respiratory diseases, the patient cannot always distinguish a dry cough from a wet one. In the first case, almost no mucus is produced by the trachea and bronchi, so when you cough it does not separate, and you feel pain or rawness in the throat. If the cough is wet, a lot of sputum is produced. But due to its high viscosity, it does not cough up, as indicated by wheezing or gurgling in the lungs.

A wet cough without mucus discharge is accompanied by:

• bronchitis;
• tracheitis;
• pneumonia;
• chronic laryngitis;
• tracheobronchitis.

Otolaryngologists have identified a relationship between the timbre of a cough and its cause:

• barking – false croup or laryngitis;
• deaf – obstructive bronchitis with a chronic course;
• silent – ​​laryngitis accompanied by damage to the vocal cords;
• bitonal – bronchoadenitis (inflammation of the intrathoracic lymph nodes).

Difficult sputum is a consequence of dehydration, swelling of the mucous membranes, narrowing of the bronchi, disruption of the functioning of bronchial cells due to inflammation. Mucus irritates the nerve endings of the mucous membrane, which causes coughing.

Why is it dangerous?

In acute bronchitis, the patient suffers from a nonproductive (dry) cough for 2-3 days. But if you follow a drinking regime, take mucolytics and other drugs, the mucus thins out and is therefore easily excreted.

If you don't cough up sputum well, it accumulates in the lungs. It contains saccharides and protein substances, which are a substrate for pathogenic microorganisms.

Untimely treatment of cough with difficult to separate sputum is fraught with:

• pneumonia;
• chronic bronchitis;
• respiratory failure.

To prevent complications, therapy begins at the first signs of bronchitis or other ENT diseases.

Inhalations

If sputum is difficult to cough up, then therapeutic inhalations must be included in the treatment regimen. In the treatment of dry cough, both steam inhalations and inhalation of a medicinal aerosol through a nebulizer are helpful.

Steam inhalations

For steam inhalations, soda solution, decoctions of medicinal herbs, potato decoction and essential oils are used. You can perform inhalations with slightly warmed mineral water. If mineral water is used for a treatment procedure, it is heated to no more than 50 degrees. At higher temperatures, the beneficial properties of the product decrease.

You need to inhale medicinal vapors for 10-15 minutes. We must not forget about caution. When using hot solutions there is a high risk of burns.

If you are allergic to plant components, you should not inhale with essential oils.

Inhalation via nebulizer

The treatment regimen may also include inhalations through a nebulizer. Bronchodilators, mucolytics, saline solution or mineral water with pre-released gas are poured into the nebulizer container. The duration of such procedures should be at least 15 minutes.

Inhalations should be carried out 3-4 times a day. Solutions can be alternated; mucolytics must be diluted with saline solution. If obstruction is observed, treatment is supplemented with Berodual or Ventolin.

How to cough up phlegm

Poor coughing up of sputum is a reason to contact an otolaryngologist. Depending on the cause of the cough, the doctor prescribes:

• drinking plenty of water;
• diet;
• inhalation;
• bed rest;
• warming compresses;
• physiotherapy;
• medicines.

If the disease is not accompanied by complications, therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis.
For purulent bronchitis, pneumonia and shortness of breath, you will have to be treated in the pulmonology department under the supervision of a doctor.

Pharmacy drugs

The medicine for cough with difficult to clear sputum is adjusted by the doctor, taking into account the cause, age and complications. Therapy is carried out with two types of medications:

• etiotropic (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal) – destroy the infection;
• symptomatic (mucolytics, analgesics, antipyretics) – relieve symptoms.

The treatment regimen and duration of the course for bronchitis, tracheitis or pneumonia are determined by the doctor. Self-therapy is dangerous due to complications - shortness of breath, transition of the disease to a chronic form, pulmonary edema.

Etiotropic treatment of cough is carried out:

• antiviral drugs (Rimantadine, Remavir, Ribavirin) - inhibit the activity of viruses, stimulate the body to fight infection;
• antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Augmentin, Cefepime) - eliminate microbial infection, resulting in reduced inflammation.

If sputum is difficult to clear when an adult coughs, use symptomatic medications:

• mucolytics (Acestad, Mucaltin, Acetylcysteine, Ambroxol) - secretolytic agents that thin the mucus in the bronchi;
• expectorants (Gedelix, Mucodin, Ambrosan, Bronkatar) are secretomotor drugs that stimulate coughing and sputum removal.

Additionally, for inflammation of the lower parts of the respiratory system, the following are used:

• bronchodilators (Eufillin, Terbutaline, Salbutamol) – dilate the bronchi, thereby facilitating the passage of mucus when coughing;
• antipyretic medications (Paracetamol, Koldakt, Aspirin) – normalize body temperature and ease general well-being;
• immunostimulants (Ribomunil, Estifan, Immunal) - increase the activity of immune cells, strengthen local immunity.

When coughing with persistent sputum, it is prohibited to use antitussive medications - Terpinkod, Prenoxdiazine, Codelac, Butamirate. They delay the removal of mucus and, along with it, pathogens from the ENT organs. As a result, the recovery period increases.

Folk decoctions and compresses

To clear sputum, use herbal decoctions with secretomotor properties:

• thermopsis;
• marshmallow;
• lycorine;
• plantain;
• licorice;
• coltsfoot;
• elecampane;
• violet flowers;
• peppermint;
• Siberian origin;
• oregano

Herbs are included in many chest mixtures that are used to combat wet cough.
How to prepare mucolytic decoctions at home:

• Recipe No. 1. Oregano, peppermint and coltsfoot are mixed in equal proportions. 1 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured into a thermos and ½ liter of boiling water is poured. After 2 hours, the broth is filtered. Drink 150 ml warm up to 5 times a day half an hour before meals.
• Recipe No. 2. 1 tbsp. l. elecampane is mixed with 10 g of licorice. Boil in 800 ml of water for 10 minutes. The cooled liquid is filtered through a fine sieve. Drink 200 ml 4 times a day.

When sputum is difficult to separate, warming compresses are no less effective:

• Curd. 200 g of cottage cheese are heated in the microwave for 1 minute, after which they make a flat cake out of it and wrap it in cellophane. Place on the chest and cover with a woolen scarf or towel. After 15 minutes, the compress is removed.
• Potato. Boil 2-3 potatoes in their jackets. Knead with a fork and lay on your back. Cover with polyethylene and a woolen scarf. After cooling, the compress is removed.

Heat treatment for cough is carried out only when there is no bacterial inflammation and purulent processes in the ENT organs. Compresses are made up to 3-4 times a day for 5 days.

Inhalations

If it is difficult to cough up mucus, inhalations with medications or herbal decoctions will help. Physiotherapy is recommended for bronchitis and tracheitis, pneumonia. In the absence of high temperature, the procedure is performed with a steam-humid inhaler. To eliminate cough, use decoctions based on:

• oak and thyme bark;
• pine buds;
• chamomile;
• sage;
• St. John's wort;
• conifer leaves.

To achieve an anti-inflammatory effect, add 3-5 drops of fir, eucalyptus or thuja essential oil to the decoction.

To prevent steam from burning your face and mucous membranes, you need to follow several rules:

• optimal liquid temperature – up to 60°C;
• distance from the face to the pan – 25-30 cm;
• inhalation duration – 10-15 minutes;
• The frequency of the procedure is 2-3 times a day.

Instead of steam-moisture inhalers, ENT doctors advise using nebulizers - devices that convert liquid into an aerosol at room temperature. To get rid of a cough with persistent sputum, an isotonic sodium chloride solution with one of the drugs is poured into the evaporation chamber:

• Bromhexine;
• Chlorophyllipt;
• overslept;
• Sinupret;
• Fluimucil;
• Rotokan;
• Lazolvan;
• Berodual;
• Mukaltin.

Rules for inhalation with a nebulizer:

• take a comfortable sitting position;
• wear a special mask;
• air is inhaled through the mouth and exhaled through the nose;
• breathe deeply without jerking;
• Avoid talking during the procedure;
• after 10-15 minutes the nebulizer is turned off;
• do not eat or drink for half an hour.

For inhalation, use a special mask, mouthpiece or nasal cannula.
The capacity of the evaporation chamber is 5-7 ml. The liquid contained in it is consumed within 15-20 minutes. For severe coughs, the procedure is performed up to 4 times a day, 1.5 hours after meals.

Inhalations with steam and compressor inhalers are not performed for pulmonary hemorrhages, cardiac arrhythmia, pneumothorax and emphysema.

Physical exercise

When sputum stagnates in the bronchi, moderate physical activity is recommended. Intense breathing and contraction of the respiratory muscles stimulate the work of the glands of the ciliated epithelium, as a result of which the mucus thins and is easily separated when coughing. People with chronic bronchitis are very useful:

• walking;
• gymnastics;
• hatha yoga;
• Cardio exercises.

If sputum is difficult to clear, breathing exercises are effective:

• chest breathing using the intercostal muscles;
• intense shallow breathing;
• abdominal, with abdominal tension.

To prevent hypothermia, perform exercises indoors at room temperature.

Indoor air humidification

If an adult does not cough up phlegm, the air humidity in the room should be increased to 65-70%. With inhalation, water molecules enter the bronchi, which reduce the viscosity of mucus and stimulate its release when coughing. For air dampness, use ultrasonic or compressor humidifiers. If they are not there, then:

• install containers with clean water on the heating radiators;
• hang wet towels, duvet covers and sheets in the room;
• Place a pan of hot water on the table.

The effect will be noticeable within 2-3 hours. When sputum is discharged, the cough will soften, complaints of burning in the throat and dry mucous membranes will disappear.

Drinking regime

A cough with difficult to clear sputum is an indication for maintaining a drinking regime. To reduce the thickness of mucus in the bronchi, it is recommended to drink up to 1.5-2 liters of liquid per day. To drink, choose:

• warm water with ¼ tsp. soda per glass;
• mineral water (Narzan, Borjomi);
• warm milk;
• lingonberry juice;
• fruit compote;
• green tea with honey;
• rosehip decoction.

Depending on concomitant diseases, the amount of fluid you drink varies.

In case of kidney failure, pyelonephritis, hypertension and other pathologies, consult with an ENT specialist before starting a course of treatment.

Treatment of dry cough in adults and children with folk remedies

Especially in the cold season, many people can hear complaints about a persistent dry cough.

1. Collection of herbs. At the pharmacy you can buy a pharmaceutical breast collection. But it can also be prepared at home. Licorice, linden, thyme, calendula, plantain, mint, pine buds - these are all the ingredients that are necessary for preparing breast milk. After mixing all the herbs, you need to take 2 tbsp. l. mixture and mix with 500 ml of boiling water. You need to infuse the product for 2 hours. After this, the infusion is ready and can be taken orally. Before meals you need to drink 150 ml.
2. Licorice . For this recipe you will need licorice root. Take 15 g of licorice root, some linden flowers and dry fresh rose hips. Mix the ingredients and add 300 g of water. The entire mixture must be placed in a water bath. After keeping the product in the bath for about half an hour, you can drink 100 ml 3 times a day.
3. Dried fruits . During the ripening period of fruits such as raspberries, rose hips, viburnum, hawthorn, it is necessary to take them in equal quantities. Take 100 g of the mixture and add 500 ml of water. Then place in a water bath and boil for about an hour. Afterwards you need to let the infusion cool, now you can take half a glass a day.
4. Egg potion . This is a remedy that will help eliminate dry cough and cure even the most persistent bronchitis. You need to take 1 glass of milk and boil it. As soon as it boils, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. honey and the same amount of butter and add to milk. Beat the egg yolk, add it to the mixture, do not forget to add soda on the tip of a knife. The product is ready. It’s quite easy to prepare, and it doesn’t take much time, so this product should be in any family’s treasury.
5. Inhalation using soda . Boil 150 g of water and add 30 g of soda to it. This product should be poured into a regular teapot for brewing or a teapot for inhalation. You need to put a paper cone on the tip of your nose and breathe through it through your mouth. Inhaling too much vapor from an alkaline solution can lead to coughing attacks. Therefore, it is better not to take excessively deep breaths. Baking soda dilutes mucus very well and allows the patient to cough up. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of dry cough syrups for children.
6. Inhalations based on essential oils . These oils have a comprehensive approach to treatment: they act as an antibacterial, expectorant and moisturizer. 500 ml of water needs to be heated to 70 degrees. Add 165 drops of any pine tree oil to this water. You need to sit and breathe over this remedy for at least 15 minutes. After finishing the inhalation, a coughing attack may occur. There is no need to be scared, this is normal.
7. Lemon . A recipe using lemon is quite common for treating a child’s cough. You need to squeeze the juice out of one lemon, add 2 tbsp to it. l. glycerin. You can buy glycerin in the pharmacy chain. Now you need to add honey to the product. It is used to neutralize the sour taste. After thoroughly mixing the product, you need to leave it to infuse for an hour. You need to give this remedy to your child while watching for coughing attacks. If the attacks are not severe, then you need to drink the syrup 3 times a day. The maximum number of receptions is 7 times.
8. Chocolate cocktail. Children love this product very much. You need to heat up the milk. Now add all the other ingredients: 1/3 tsp. butter, a little lamb fat, 1 tsp. honey and 30 g chocolate. The product is ready. It is advisable for them to give the child a drink before bedtime and put him to bed. Milk will warm your throat very well, and cocoa butter will help thin the phlegm. It is best to use this remedy as an addition to the main method of treatment.
9. Foot baths . If the cough is not accompanied by a fever, then you should use hot foot baths with mustard. You need to pour fairly warm water into a basin, about 40 degrees, add a couple of tablespoons of mustard. You need to warm your feet for about 30 minutes. After completing the procedure, you should put on warm socks and lie down in bed, covered with a blanket.
10. Children really love cough medicine using vanilla syrup . 1 glass of milk needs to be heated to a temperature of 40 degrees. You need to add 2 tbsp to the milk. l. vanilla and 1 spoon of honey. For a pleasant smell and taste, add a pinch of vanilla. It is necessary to mix all the ingredients very well and let it brew for about 20 minutes. You need to drink 1 tbsp cocktail. l. 4 times a day.

The causes of night cough in adults are listed in this article.

How to learn to cough correctly

Many respiratory diseases are transmitted through airborne droplets. To prevent infection of others, you need to:

• tilt your head down;
• cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow;
• tighten your abdominal muscles;
• make a forced exhalation.

During a cough, the speed of air expulsion reaches 170 km/h. Along with it, many pathogens enter the environment. Therefore, when coughing, cover your mouth. During an exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to wear a mask, which is changed at least once every half hour.

It is recommended to cough up mucus into a disposable paper tissue. After an attack, wash your hands with antibacterial soap.

To avoid complications, stay in bed for the first 3-5 days.

ENT doctors do not advise holding back a cough, as it helps clear the airways of phlegm and pathogens.

A cough with hard-to-clear sputum is a sign of respiratory diseases caused by inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. To alleviate the condition, you need to take mucolytics, follow a drinking regime and do inhalations.

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How to cope with the problem of sputum discharge during coughing in adults

If a patient has a dull cough without expectoration for a long time, it is quite possible that stagnation of sputum has formed in his bronchi. It occurs when the mucus produced by the bronchial glands becomes too viscous and difficult to clear from the airways, even with a strong cough. This condition is extremely dangerous, as it contributes to the spread of infection, expansion of the area of ​​inflammation and leads to unpredictable complications on the organs of the respiratory system.

You can improve the discharge of sputum when coughing, avoiding unpleasant consequences for the body. There are effective drugs that help thin the already formed mucus and stabilize its production in the respiratory tract.

Medicines to remove phlegm

To quickly cough up mucus after it has liquefied, it is necessary to use expectorants.

These drugs restore the functioning of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, relieve inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration of the bronchial tree.

Most often, doctors prescribe the following medications to patients that have a coughing effect:

• Mucosol;
• Marshmallow root;
• Carbocysteine;
• Licorice root syrup.

• Inexpensive but extremely effective expectorants;
• Tablet preparations for dry cough;
• Using bear fat to quickly get rid of cough.

Sputum and its effect on the coughing process

During illness, a cough is most often caused by an irritant such as excess phlegm. Its stagnation in the respiratory tract leads to a prolonged non-productive cough, which can subsequently cause the development of chronic bronchitis, and in some cases even pneumonia.

In general, sputum is a special secretion of bronchial cells. They are used to protect the airways from external irritants such as dust, small particles or gases that enter them when inhaled. This mucus is constantly produced by the body in moderate quantities and is excreted during life.

However, due to some reasons (for example, during illness or allergy attacks), the mechanism for secreting sputum is disrupted, and it may become too viscous - in this case, the only way to remove it is to cough. Reflex contractions of the bronchial muscles should help transport mucus to the trachea until pathogens begin to develop in it.

If this does not happen, this fact indicates that the disease has begun to enter the chronic stage - then therapy must be started urgently, otherwise it will be much more difficult to get rid of the cough later.

Reasons why you can't clear your throat

It is extremely important to find out the reason why your cough will not clear your throat. Only a doctor can determine the true cause of such an illness.

• The most common cause of such a cough is inflammation that occurs in the upper respiratory tract. Inflammations occur due to viruses and pathogenic microorganisms. If the immune system is weakened, the virus infects the human body. Dry cough often occurs with various respiratory diseases. These include acute respiratory infections, whooping cough, diphtheria, pneumonia, tuberculosis. An acute cough can persist for about 3 weeks and then goes away.
• Chronic pharyngitis is also accompanied by a dry cough. It occurs as a result of soreness and tingling in the throat.

• A very painful cough, accompanied by shortness of breath and fever, occurs with a disease such as pleurisy. This is a fairly serious disease, since cough can be one single symptom that indicates a mediastinal tumor. Symptoms of thyroid cough can be found here.
• Gastroesophageal reflux. All the substance that comes out of the stomach returns back to the esophagus. This process may be accompanied by a dry cough, and the cause is very difficult to determine.
• Respiratory disease. These include diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and smoker's bronchitis.
• Dust, air pollutants. You may also be interested in reading about the causes of teething in children.
• A foreign object that enters the respiratory tract.
• The use of medications that block the ACE system.
• Allergy. An allergic reaction may also cause a dry cough, which may be accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes.
• Impact of work. At work, conditions may be created in which a dry cough occurs.

How to diagnose sputum stasis in yourself

As a rule, a patient with stagnation of mucous masses in the respiratory tract coughs often and for a long time. At the same time, the nature of the symptom is barking, hysterical. Examination of the upper respiratory tract is not always indicative, however, it can also detect accumulations of thick sputum on the tissues of the throat.

Signs of stagnation of mucous masses in the respiratory tract:

• persistent nonproductive cough;
• feeling of a “stone in the throat”;
• discomfort, scratching or scratching of the throat;
• wheezing when breathing.

If the patient exhibits all these signs or most of them, it means that the disease begins to progress, delving into the depths of the respiratory system - the bronchi. In this case, you should immediately begin combined treatment, which includes various procedures, as well as the use of mucolytic drugs.

Attention! If sputum does not come out well when coughing, it is dry, causes discomfort or pain, then it is imperative to call a health care professional who will determine the causes of these symptoms and prescribe effective treatment.

Causes of poor expectoration

If sputum does not come out when you cough, this may be due to the following reasons:

• infectious diseases;
• allergic reactions;
• smoking and drinking alcohol.

Pathogenic microorganisms, entering the trachea and bronchi, multiply in the mucous masses, which are an ideal environment for this. The more the disease progresses, the more the physical properties of the mucus change - it becomes more sticky, elastic and difficult to pass through the bronchial canals during breathing, causing irritation and, as a result, coughing. However, in this case the latter is no longer able to cope with the transportation and removal of sputum.

Allergies can also cause thickening of mucus in the bronchi. When the body gives an immune response to the appearance of an irritant (dust, pollen, sand, wool particles, etc.), the secretory cells of the respiratory tract receive a command to actively secrete sputum. As a result, it does not have time to be removed from the bronchi and accumulates in their cavity.

Bad habits, such as drinking alcohol and smoking, have a detrimental effect on the health of the entire body, including the respiratory system. Soot from smoke, which constantly settles in the cavities of the bronchi and lungs, changes the physical properties of mucus, literally “welding” it to the tissues. The mucus begins to form clots that stick to the bronchi, causing a severe cough. Alcohol acts no less mildly, but its negative effect extends to the trachea.

Causes

The production of secretion by goblet cells, bronchial glands, epithelium of bronchioles and alveoli is an integral physiological process in the human body. Normally, mucus is transparent, has a liquid consistency, without impurities and an unpleasant odor .

During spastic exhalations, thick mucus is not coughed up, but only irritates the mucous membrane and sticks to the walls of the trachea and bronchi. Subsequent attempts to remove the secretion result in chest pain and discomfort in the throat

It protects against the penetration of toxic elements, prevents the irradiation of infectious agents into the pulmonary system and other organs, and assists in the evacuation of foreign substances.

Penetration of irritants into the mucosa provokes inflammation and swelling of soft tissues, which causes a decrease in ciliary activity, overproduction of bronchial secretions and a change in its viscoelastic characteristics.

As the disease progresses, clear mucus is supplemented by metabolic products of pathogenic microflora, immune cells, which renew the chemical and physical properties of sputum . The color of the pathological fluid depends on the etiological factor; it can be from light yellow to deep brown.

Why doesn't sputum come out when I cough? The nature of bronchial secretions is assessed according to the main criteria: adhesiveness, viscosity, elasticity. Correction of these indicators is associated with an increase in the concentration of neutral mucins, which determine the rheological properties of the secreted substance.

Important! A dry cough does not bring relief; it only destabilizes the patient's condition. A person experiences difficulty swallowing, complains of discomfort in the larynx, a constant sensation of a “lump” in the throat, pain in the chest, and decreased physical and intellectual activity.

An increase in chemical-physical coefficients slows down the rate of movement of mucus along the tracheobronchial branches, complete closure of the lumen in the bronchi occurs, which is dangerous due to the disruption of ventilation-perfusion relations and the development of congestion. During spastic exhalations, sputum is not coughed up and sticks to the walls of the respiratory tract .

Sticky bronchial secretions create favorable conditions for the growth and development of pathogenic microorganisms, subsequently the disease progresses, becomes chronic, stimulates bronchial obstruction and oxidative stress.

Spasmodic persistent cough stimulates an increase in intrathoracic pressure, creating the preconditions for the development of emphysema, hypertension, and the formation of cor pulmonale.

Difficulties with sputum discharge often occur against the background of the following pathologies:

• pneumonia;
• bronchial asthma;
• obstructive bronchitis;
• lung abscess;
• tuberculosis;
• oncology;
• occupational diseases associated with activities in the coal, metallurgical and chemical industries;
• bronchitis;
• respiratory infections;
• whooping cough

The condition when a dry cough and sputum does not clear is preceded by unfavorable environmental conditions, sudden thermal changes, dry indoor air, contact with allergens, and abuse of tobacco products.

General recommendations

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to get rid of stagnant mucus in the throat without the use of medications. However, in order to shorten the treatment time as much as possible, it is worth adhering to certain rules during the therapy process.

Tips for patients who have difficulty clearing sputum when coughing:

• It is necessary to drink water as often as possible. During illness, severe dehydration of the body is observed, which must be compensated. Often, mucus thickens precisely because the cells simply do not have enough fluid during its production. At least 2-2.5 liters of warm water should be consumed per day (not tea, soda or juices, but pure drinking water - bottled or boiled).

• Eliminate salty and spicy foods from your diet. These seasonings negatively affect the stomach environment, which can also cause poor expectoration. In addition, salt interferes with the normal circulation of fluid in the body.
• Maintain bed rest. Peace and relaxation are the key to successful treatment. Constant stress, being in dusty rooms or on a cool street contribute to the entry of small particles into the lungs and respiratory tract, which will only make the sputum even more viscous.
• Do breathing exercises. This is a simple procedure that helps remove stagnant mucus and reduce coughing. To perform it, you need to take a full lungful of air through your nose, hold your breath for a short time, and then gradually exhale - and so on 5-7 times.

By following these simple rules, the patient will get rid of the obsessive cough caused by impaired mucus production much earlier.

Ways to combat sputum stagnation

Difficulty coughing when coughing is a bad symptom, but it can be treated. To eliminate the problem, modern medicine involves the use of special drugs - mucolytic and expectorant. The former make mucus more liquid, and the latter contribute to its rapid removal from the respiratory tract. However, drug therapy should be accompanied by other health measures.

In cases where sputum is not quickly released when coughing, complex treatment is prescribed. It includes:

• drug use;
• carrying out physical procedures;
• healing using folk methods.

Along with medications, it is very useful to carry out inhalations - breathing over hot liquids, inhaling steam. This will simultaneously soften the throat and moisturize the mucous membrane, helping the phlegm to be more actively separated from the tissues.

Special inhalers are used for the procedure. If there are none, at home you can simply cover yourself with a towel over a pan of hot water (folk methods also allow replacing the liquid with boiled potatoes). Essential oils will be very useful - for example, before inhalation you can drip eucalyptus or mint, lemon.

Home treatments can also help cope with poor sputum production. Most often they involve treatment with medicinal plants. Honey, onions and garlic, milk and butter are also actively used to combat coughs and mucus stagnation.

Recipes for dry cough: to clear your throat. Folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that are successfully used to eliminate cough and remove pathogenic sputum.

It should be remembered that relying solely on such treatments and taking them uncontrollably without taking into account the doctor’s opinion is dangerous.

If you are looking for what to drink to clear your cough, the first thing you need to do is make sure that the cough is not caused by asthma, pneumonia, whooping cough or pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

There are various folk remedies for coughing. Let's look at some of them.

Medicinal herbs with mucolytic effect

1. The mixture of coltsfoot, licorice root and plantain is poured with boiling water, infused in a container covered with a lid, and filtered. The resulting infusion should be taken half a glass per day. The infusion should be warm.
2. The fruits of fennel, marshmallow root, licorice and coltsfoot are poured with hot water and left for about 15 minutes. After filtering through cheesecloth, the drink is taken three times a day. You can add oregano, nettle, and chamomile flowers to the resulting mixture.

Natural antibiotics

Plants such as garlic and onions have a thinning and antibacterial effect. They are crushed, mixed with warm milk and a small amount of honey. Use half a teaspoon 2-3 times a day after meals.

Inhalations

Steam procedures are easy to carry out at home. To carry them out, a mixture of eucalyptus oil, soda and iodine, Essentuki mineral water, and essential oils are used.

It should be remembered that inhalation cannot be done if the cough is accompanied by elevated body temperature. Inhalations are administered to young children with great care, taking care not to cause a burn to the mucous membranes.

The steam procedure, which was popular in the past using steam from boiled potatoes, can hardly be recommended as a serious medical procedure. Its effectiveness is questionable, but the risk of burns to the mucous membranes is quite high.

Compresses

Warming procedures using various ingredients are among the most common folk remedies for dry cough. The following compress recipes are known:

1. from mustard and honey - mix the ingredients, dilute them with water, spread the resulting mixture on a piece of gauze and place it in the chest or back of the patient, wrapping it with a warm scarf or towel;
2. from eucalyptus oil - rub the patient’s chest and back with a product purchased at the pharmacy, leaving it overnight;
3. honey – honey is mixed with alcohol or vodka, the mixture is spread on gauze and placed on the patient’s back.

It should be remembered that children are not given compresses made from products containing alcohol. Some ingredients can cause allergic reactions, so for the first time it is better not to leave such a compress on the skin for a long time, especially overnight.

Traditional methods of treatment

The basis of this therapy is a variety of decoctions and compresses. If sputum is difficult to separate, drinking alcohol is not recommended, so the use of tinctures is internally questionable - the decision should be made with the participation of specialists. In addition, alcohol should not be given to children.

The most effective folk recipes for decoctions:

• Milk with honey and butter. Boil the milk on the stove, then let it cool until warm. Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey, mix thoroughly. You can also add a small amount of butter to the mixture to soften the throat. Give to the patient before bedtime.

• Decoction of pine cones. An effective remedy that helps disperse mucus in the respiratory tract and stabilize its production. For preparation you will need 4-6 cones. Water (500 ml) is poured into the container, brought to a boil, and then pine cones are lowered into it for a period of 5 to 7 minutes. After this, the liquid is decanted and divided into 3-5 portions, giving to the patient throughout the day.
• Coltsfoot, oregano and raspberry. Pour one tablespoon of each plant into a medium pot or small saucepan, then boil water (about 0.5 liters) and immediately pour the mixture into it. The decoction is considered ready for use after 7-9 minutes and is served hot twice - in the morning and in the evening.

You can also apply compresses based on various herbal decoctions (thyme, sage, coltsfoot, mint, wild rosemary, calendula, etc.), honey or boiled potatoes. For the procedure, you need to soak the gauze in liquid or coat it with the ingredient, then apply it to the chest (not the heart) and wrap it in a towel overnight.

If sputum is difficult to clear when a child or adult coughs, the first thing you should do is see a doctor or at least call a specialist to your home for an examination. Only after a correct diagnosis can you confidently begin a course of treatment, which will certainly help cope with the disease.

You can learn how to treat cough with sputum from the following video:

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Treatment

Therapy begins with studying the specific mechanism of the disturbance in the rate of sputum outflow, etiology, and features of the course of the disease..

Based on the results of differential diagnosis, medical history and age of the patient, the otolaryngologist selects drugs to stimulate the removal of mucus, reduce its intracellular formations and liquefy it.

In practice, pharmaceutical products with targeted effects on the quantitative and qualitative effects of bronchial secretions have become widespread: expectorants and mucolytics.

Fact! The therapeutic effect for the accumulation of viscous sputum in the projection of the bronchopulmonary apparatus is provided by physiotherapeutic procedures: electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, inhalation, vibration massage, magnetic therapy.

Expectorants

The main function is to dilute the pathological fluid, which speeds up the process of self-cleaning of the tracheobronchial tree .

Dry barking cough often bothers elderly patients, which is associated with the biological processes of aging

They are used to treat wet coughs with difficult-to-clear sputum. In case of unproductive spastic exhalations, the secretion is initially diluted with mucolytics, and only then agents are prescribed to help remove mucus from the bronchi.

The modern pharmacological industry offers a wide range of expectorants of plant and synthetic origin.

Examples of commonly prescribed medications include the following:

• based on marshmallow : “Mukaltin”, “Alteyka syrup”, “Breast collection”;
• the main substance is ivy : “Prospan”, “Gedelix”;
• plantain : “Gerbion syrup with plantain”, “Breast collection No. 2”, “Stoptussin Fito”;
• with thyme : “Bronchicum”, “Pertussin”, “Codelac Broncho”, “Tussamag”.

All of them have a direct effect on the process of mucociliary transport, normalize the sanitation of the respiratory tract, reduce the viscosity of bronchial secretions, thereby preventing congestion. Partially exhibit anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity.

For reference! Due to the possibility of developing allergies, “lung flooding syndrome,” and depression of respiratory function, expectorants are cautious in including children in the treatment regimen.

When choosing a medication, it is necessary to take into account the patient’s age, the underlying cause of the disease and contraindications. Dosage and course duration are determined by the doctor for each clinical case. On average, two weeks of therapy is enough to obtain a therapeutic result.

Mucolytics

The uniqueness of secretolytics lies in their ability to provide a rapid thinning effect due to their direct effect on the structure of bronchial secretions. Active components improve the rheological properties of sputum without significantly increasing its volume .

Advice! It is not recommended to use antitussive drugs to relieve a wet cough, as they inhibit the cough reflex at a time when it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of spastic exhalations.

A condition where sputum does not come out when an adult coughs requires taking the most common mucolytic drugs:

• "Fluimucil";
• "ACC";
• "Codelac Broncho";
• "Ambroxol" and its derivatives ("Ambrobene", "Ambrohexal", "Lazolvan");
• "Bromhexine";
• "Carbocisteine".

Prescribed for ENT diseases, pathologies of the upper and lower respiratory tract of various etiologies in order to facilitate the release of viscous secretions.

Drugs such as "ACC", "Lazolvan", "Ambroxol", "Fluimucil", "Gedelix" and other drugs in the form of a liquid consistency are used for inhalation .

It is recommended to dilute all medications with saline solution, which additionally has a thinning effect. The procedures must be performed 2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the etiological factor and the degree of disease progression.

General recommendations

There are a number of activities that improve the functions of the respiratory system and help to cope with the disease faster. They increase the patient’s immune status, provide palliative care for the treatment of spastic exhalations, and accelerate the process of transition from a dry cough to a productive one.

What to do if an adult or a child has difficulty coughing up phlegm:

Stroking, turning into tapping on the chest and back, is a useful procedure for the gentle discharge of bronchial mucus

1. Gargle with saline or soda solution . A decoction based on medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula, plantain, thyme, licorice, coltsfoot, thyme) will be useful.
2. Perform steam inhalations over a container with boiled potatoes or a decoction prepared from phytocomponents. The main condition is that subfebrile indicators are normal.
3. Walk in the fresh air more often and longer , expose the body to physical activity, which helps prevent stagnation.
4. Drink more . It is better if it is warm milk with honey, medicinal teas brewed from raspberry and currant leaves with the addition of lemon, ginger, alkaline water, rose hip decoction, jelly.
5. Control the humidity in the room (optimum 50-65%) and air temperature (from 18 to 21⁰C).
6. Systematically carry out wet cleaning , eliminate possible allergens, ventilate the room twice a day, avoid household chemicals with a strong odor.
7. Quit alcohol and cigarettes.

Focus on your daily diet. The body needs strength to recover, which it can get from healthy foods: dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish. Salted, smoked, fried, fatty foods, confectionery, and caffeinated drinks are prohibited.

Symptomatic picture

Unlike a wet cough, a dry cough is considered more dangerous and has a more complex clinical picture. In the field of medicine, it is designated by the term - unproductive, worsening the patient’s well-being and not bringing relief. The patient's condition is aggravated by attacks of suffocation, urinary incontinence, and sore throat. Doctors do not recommend relying on self-recovery, since such attacks can often be caused by dangerous diseases, including malignant ones.

Dry cough in an adult, depending on the underlying disease, is accompanied by additional symptoms:

• sore throat;
• congestion of the nasal passages;
• discomfort in the nasopharynx;
• chest pain;
• headaches;
• gagging;
• shortness of breath.

The main insidiousness of a dry cough is that it can be a sign of many serious pathologies in which sputum is not removed. For this reason, cough instead of a mechanism becomes a dangerous independent phenomenon. Self-medication is unacceptable due to the fact that mandatory specific diagnostics are required, which will help prevent the progression of the disease. The choice of methods and duration of therapy depends on the underlying pathology that causes attacks without coughing.

Causes of dry cough

Why does this cough appear? Here are the main reasons that can cause it:

• allergy;
• respiratory tract diseases;
• viral and bacterial infections;
• mechanical and chemical effects;
• foreign body stuck in the respiratory tract.

A dry cough can occur due to allergies. An allergy is an acute reaction to some external irritant. This could be anything from wool to product. Allergies manifest not only with a dry cough, but also with other symptoms:

• runny nose;
• dry throat;
• itching in the nose and throat;
• rash;
• lacrimation.

Mechanical and chemical effects also cause a cough that does not allow coughing. It could be smoke, for example. No special treatment is required; it is enough to stop exposure and moisturize the mucous membrane.

A foreign body entering the respiratory tract can cause an attack of dry cough. If the object is not removed in time, suffocation may even occur. Therefore, if you suspect this cause of cough, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Infections are the most common cause of cough. Viral infection (ARVI, influenza) manifests itself as follows:

• general malaise;
• nasal congestion;
• loss of appetite;
• scratching and sore throat;
• headache;
• heat.

Bacterial infections, such as diphtheria or tuberculosis, cause severe coughing and can cause suffocation. The fact is that during an attack it is impossible to take a breath. These diseases develop more slowly than viral ones, so treatment is necessary at the first signs.

Respiratory tract diseases, such as pharyngitis and laryngitis, usually appear against the background of viral infections and are a complication of the disease. Typically, these diseases cause swelling of the ligaments, which causes hoarseness. Otherwise, the symptoms are the same as for a cold.

The causes of a dry, non-clearing cough in an adult may also be smoking. This bad habit can cause severe attacks as the lungs try to clear out toxins.

Cold cough

During the period of respiratory infections, cough manifests itself in more than half of the patients who seek help at the hospital. Poor sputum removal is observed only in the first three days from the onset of a cold. Then the non-productive cough passes into the stage of productive, that is, wet. Sputum may not be coughed up due to damage to the respiratory tract due to the development of a number of colds.

Laryngitis. Damage to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx occurs, during which barking attacks develop without the removal of secretions.

Pleurisy. Infectious disorders in the pleura are in rare cases accompanied by the formation of mucus. The cough does not clear the throat and is characterized as booming.

Tracheitis . Inflammatory processes in the trachea provoke bronchial irritation and chest pain. There is a constant sore throat and a slight increase in body temperature.

Pneumonia. The disease is characterized by muscle pain in the abdominal area and increased blood pressure. Painful coughing attacks develop, often with purulent discharge.

Bronchitis. At the initial stage of the disease, the cough does not clear the throat. Shortness of breath, soreness in the nasopharynx, and pain when inhaling develop. After a few days, there is a large discharge of sputum.

Tuberculosis is recognized as the most secretive and dangerous pulmonary disease, due to which a dry cough develops. If sputum has not been coughed up for a month or more, the temperature fluctuates between 37-37.2 degrees, fluorography is required immediately.

Treating a dry cough that does not clear the throat requires an integrated approach. In addition to drug therapy, it is important to maintain appropriate humidity in the room and give the patient plenty of fluids.

Dry cough that does not clear the throat in an adult: possible causes

Some of the most common causes of this problem include the following:

• exposure to harmful chemical compounds on the respiratory system;
• allergic reaction to household chemicals, food, drinks, materials, pollen, dust, tobacco smoke, fur of domestic or wild animals, medications;
• as one of the signs of developing bronchitis;
• one of the symptoms of a viral or inflammatory disease (ARVI, acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis, diphtheria, etc.);
• with gastroesophageal reflux, a dry cough may occur as a reaction to gastric substances returning to the esophagus;
• harmful living and working conditions;
• mental problems (stress, depression, mental disorders).

If a dry cough is caused not by a disease, but by exposure to irritating factors, then it can be dealt with fairly quickly using simple methods:

• If an external cause is identified, then it needs to be eliminated.
• Avoid eating spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and seasonings.
• Open a window to ventilate the room or go outside to get some fresh air.
• Drink a glass of ordinary water without gas, the main thing is that it is neither cold nor hot.
• Take a comfortable, relaxed position (sitting or lying down).

If none of these methods help cope with the attack, then you can try using a saline inhaler. Usually, when using it, the soreness disappears no later than after 5 minutes. Mustard plasters will help achieve a prolonged effect, but you need to remember that it is advisable to use them before bedtime.

When a sore throat is accompanied by a high temperature (over 38.5 degrees), and in addition suffers from diarrhea and vomiting, it is recommended to give the sick person an antipyretic drug and call a doctor at home or an ambulance.

Top medications to relieve coughing

In order to transform a dry cough into a wet one, you will need to take certain medications. Their purpose is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes. Coughing drugs promote moderate dilatation of the bronchi and a decrease in the cough reflex.

Rating of the best drugs for dry cough in adults:

1. Doctor Mom (herbal lozenges, ointment and syrup). The herbal components of the medicine stop infectious processes in the respiratory tract, thin out mucus, and improve expectoration.
2. Rengalin. A combined drug indicated in the treatment of dry and wet cough. Available in the form of lozenges. Reduces inflammation, eliminates wheezing, and activates secretion elimination processes.
3. Herbion syrup. Produces antitussive, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and expectorant effects. Take with caution in case of diabetes mellitus and fructose intolerance.
4. Libexin. Suppresses the cough reflex, improves the removal of mucus from the bronchi and trachea. Reduces the susceptibility of cough receptors, activates the removal of infection from the body.
5. Falimint. Antiseptic medicine with high antitussive effects. Recommended for the treatment of non-productive, reflex cough. Quickly removes mucus, eliminates irritation and discomfort in the respiratory tract.

The choice of drug depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the clinical picture of attacks that do not clear the throat. You should be careful about the dosage and follow the duration of use indicated in the instructions.

Before using medications to treat dry cough, you should consult your doctor. Each of these drugs, in addition to positive pharmacological properties, has contraindications and side effects. Ignoring them can intensify the infectious process in the bronchi and complicate the discharge of sputum.

If negative conditions develop or your health deteriorates, you must stop using the medicine. The patient should consult a doctor; it may be necessary to replace the product with another one.

Treatment of coughing attacks

If the cough is dry and does not clear the throat, treatment in this case will be aimed at thinning the thick sputum and removing it from the body. That is, a dry cough must be converted into a wet one. In addition, for severe attacks, antitussives may be prescribed.

Important! Do not take expectorants if your cough is still dry.

Treatment for a dry, non-clearing cough in an adult will be the same as in a child, but the dosage will, of course, be different. The following medications are used for treatment:

1. Mucolytics - help make the cough moist.
2. Antitussives - relieve severe attacks, are narcotic and non-narcotic.
3. Antibiotics – usually used for complications or serious illnesses (such as pneumonia).
4. Antiviral drugs – prescribed in the presence of a viral infection.

As for mucolytics, they are also different. Some drugs make mucus liquid and help remove it, while others reduce the amount of phlegm. Here are the most effective drugs:

• Bromhexine;
• Libexin;
• Ambroxol.

Bromhexine is a medicine in which the main substance is bromhexine hydrochloride. The drug helps both children and adults. You can take one tablet several times a day if the cough bothers an adult. Children are allowed a dose of a quarter of a tablet or half of it. Headache and vomiting may occur when taken. The medicine is prohibited in the first trimester of pregnancy and for stomach ulcers.

Libexin makes breathing easier and helps with acute and chronic cough. Adults can take 100 mg three times a day, and children are prescribed the drug depending on their weight and age. Side effect is dry mouth. Children under three years of age are not allowed to take the medicine.

Ambroxol is used for bronchitis. Adults and children over twelve years old can take 30 mg three times a day, and children under 12 years old can take half a tablet. Heartburn and abdominal pain may occur. You should not take the medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy or if you have kidney failure.

If the cough is dry, does not clear the throat and leads to vomiting, then cough suppressants are prescribed. Narcotic drugs are recommended extremely rarely, as the body gets used to them. Non-narcotic drugs can be used by both children and adults. Such medications include Glauvent and Sinekod.

Glauvent relieves inflammation and has an antitussive effect. Adults can take 40 mg twice or thrice daily. And for children - 10 mg with the same frequency. Fatigue and drowsiness may occur. You should not take the medicine if you have hypotension or if you produce a lot of sputum.

Sinekod can be used by both children and adults. If a child under three years of age has a dry and persistent cough, the drug can only be given in drops. Older children and adults can use syrup. Side effects may include allergies or nausea.

In addition to medications for oral use, the doctor may prescribe inhalations. Steam or aerosol (using a nebulizer) can be used for any form of dry cough. The specialist usually prescribes Berodual or Atrovent.

On a note! The drugs can cause side effects, so you need to be careful during the first inhalation when the body’s reaction is not yet known.

These medications will help ease breathing and moisturize the mucous membranes. In addition, inhalation of medications helps destroy germs and relieve inflammation. After these procedures, the condition improves significantly. The main thing is to carry out the procedure correctly: use the prescribed dose of the product and do it an hour before meals or an hour after it.

The best folk recipes

At home, if the cough does not clear the throat, you can use traditional recipes in combination with medications. Honey, propolis, and sea buckthorn oil have anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and coughing effects. Positive results in removing phlegm can be achieved by using coltsfoot, aloe, marshmallow root, mustard, and black radish.

Applications with honey

Applications with buckwheat or linden honey help ease coughing and reduce inflammation in the bronchi in adults with a dry cough. You will need 50 g of honey, 50 ml of aloe juice, 50 ml of vodka or alcohol. The thoroughly mixed mixture is laid out on a clean cotton cloth. It is necessary to warm up the chest with this mixture if the cough does not clear the throat, for 20-25 minutes in the morning and evening.

Quick decoction

A medicinal decoction of marshmallow root and coltsfoot leaves will help quickly stop an attack of dry cough at night. Herbs are taken in equal proportions and poured with boiling water in a regular teapot. After 3-5 minutes, drink the product in small sips with any flower honey. You can drink tea, black or green, with the addition of four drops of pharmaceutical propolis tincture.

Black radish infusion

One of the most useful natural cough medicines is black radish. It is combined with honey, propolis, milk, if sputum does not clear up. To prepare the product, grate 200 g of vegetables on a coarse grater and add 300 ml of boiled milk. Leave for 5 minutes, strain. It is recommended to add 2 tbsp to the healing composition. l liquid honey. Divide into 2 servings, take them morning and evening.

Traditional medicine

You can improve sputum discharge at home using traditional medicine recipes. Such therapy should not replace drug treatment, but is suitable as an auxiliary practice.

Treatment of dry cough with folk remedies:

If you have candidiasis of the bronchi, it is highly not recommended to use recipes containing sugar. You should completely avoid confectionery products, as well as any products containing yeast. Otherwise, the cough will last a very long time, and the medications will have little effect.